Gateway Construction To Begin; Murals Add Color To Cityscape

CLEARWATER, FL — Starting this week, Clearwater's downtown gateway will undergo some changes designed to beautify the area, create a new plaza for community events and make the downtown corridor more pedestrian-friendly.

The city presented an overview of the project Tuesday. Construction is expected to begin July 26.

The project includes the Cleveland Streetscape Phase III and Festival Core. The city of Clearwater's Community Redevelopment Agency and Engineering Department will be making improvements to roadways on Cleveland Street from Missouri Avenue east to San Remo Avenue and on Gulf to Bay Boulevard from Cleveland Street southeast to Court Street/Highland Avenue.

Improvements will include:

• Replacement of underground utilities (water, stormwater, and sewer).
• New sidewalks, bike lanes, safer intersections and turn lanes.
• Enhanced stormwater treatment planting areas and extensive landscaping.
• Reconfiguration of on-street parking.
• Development of a flexible public festival core space at Cleveland Street and Gulf to Bay Boulevard.

The project will consist of four phases, with all businesses remaining open during construction.

Phase 1 - August to October

• Closure of Hillcrest Avenue between Cleveland Street and Gulf to Bay Boulevard.
• Gulf to Bay Boulevard from Court Street to Cleveland Street.
• Cleveland Street from South Missouri Avenue to North Hillcrest Avenue.
• San Juan Court from Gulf to Bay Boulevard to South Hillcrest Avenue.

Phase 2 - November to August 2022

• West Side of Gulf to Bay Boulevard from Cleveland Street to Court Street.
• A) North Side of Cleveland Street from South Missouri Avenue to North Lady Mary Avenue.
• B) North Side of Cleveland Street from North Lady Mary Avenue to North Hillcrest Avenue.
• Festival Core: a new public plaza at the intersection of Cleveland Street and Gulf to Bay Boulevard.

Phase 3 - September 2022 to December 2022

• East Side of Gulf to Bay Boulevard from Court Street to Cleveland Street.
• South Side of Cleveland Street from North Hillcrest Avenue to South Missouri Avenue.

Phase 4 - January 2023

• Lane closures for final pavement throughout project.

Access to businesses and residences will be maintained to the greatest extent possible, and those occupying affected properties will be notified ahead of work in their area.

Changes to the schedule will be posted here, at public meetings, and directly to adjacent property owners, tenants and residents.

There will be significant community outreach from the city throughout the project, which is slated for completion in January. The next community meeting will take place Tuesday, Oct. 26 at 8 a.m. and 6 p.m. at Envios Universal, 1464 Gulf to Bay Blvd.

For more information, contact Clearwater CRA public relations and programs manager Eric Santiago at 727-562-4024 or by email at eric.santiago@myclearwater.com.

In the meantime, residents may have noticed some artistic additions to the city including a new mural at the intersection of Cleveland Street and Garden Avenue.

This celebration of color by artist Cecilia Lueza is the latest addition to Clearwater's growing collection of public art on the streets of downtown. This recently completed mural is the second of three pieces being installed this summer.

The first summer mural completed in May was the vibrant display of flowers by Austin-based artist DAAS, which can be seen from the southwest corner of Myrtle Avenue and Franklin Street.

To learn more about the Downtown Mural Program and take a self-guided arts and culture tour, visit the virtual art map.